Several schools in the Rockford Diocese will have new school leaders greeting students and parents this year. Among them are three new superintendents, one new president and eight new principals. While each is new to his or her position this year, several are already familiar to the diocese and a few to the schools where they will hold new posts.
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Rosemarie Brubaker |
Rosemarie Brubaker, Superintendent
Aquin Catholic Schools, Freeport
Q. What is your educational background?
A. I am a graduate of Highland Community College where I earned an associates degree in professional education. I went on to Rockford University (then College) to complete my bachelor’s degree in elementary education with endorsements in middle school, science, social studies and language arts. I earned my master’s degree in Administration and Educational Leadership from National Louis University. I graduated summa cum laude from all three educational institutions. I taught junior high science at Aquin for six years before transitioning into administration.
Q. What was your last assignment in the diocese OR position outside the diocese?
A. I taught junior high science and health at Aquin. I was also the varsity softball coach for four years.
Q. What is your main goal for the next school year?
A. My main goal for this next school year is to increase the awareness of the spiritual side of students. Through the help of our wonderful parish priests, youth director, and amazing faculty, I am looking forward to observing students gain a greater sense of their spiritual identity. Achieving this goal would mean students have a greater understanding of their connection to God, which relates directly to their connection with each other. Aquin has such a fantastic student body. I have no doubt our students will accept any task set before them.
Q. Students in your school may have had a summer reading list. What did you read this summer?
A. My summer reading included "The Book Thief"s.
Q. Who makes up your family and what parish do you attend?
A. I am happily married to my husband, Richard, for eighteen years. We have two beautiful children. Khyle is eighteen and will be attending Morehead State University in the fall as an education major. Kira is thirteen and will be an eighth grader at Aquin. We are members of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Lena.
Q. What is something you’d like to be sure the parents and students at your school know about you?
A. I am an active proponent of communication. I am a firm believer that a leader can enhance the overall spirit, confidence, and grit of a school community through open engaging communication. People, parent or student, don’t necessarily expect problems to be solved over night, but they do expect to feel like they’ve been heard. Listening is such a crucial part of the communication piece because when you are truly listened to; you feel valued. Being valued as a person is a basic Catholic belief and was modeled time and time again by Jesus Christ. For our Aquin community members that do not know me yet, the value of communication is one of the most important philosophies I try to adhere to.
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Andrew Edmondson |
Andrew Edmondson, Superintendent
Marian Central Catholic High School, Woodstock
Q. What is your educational background?
A. I was a double major in elementary and secondary ed ucation at Western Illinois University and received my educational leadership (training) from Western as well.
Q. What was your last assignment in the diocese OR position outside the diocese?
A. I was principal at Newman Central Catholic High School in Sterling.
Q. What is your main goal for the next school year?
A. The main goals for Marian are, one, we would like to implement national standards and benchmark for a secondary education.
Two, we would like an irresistable K-12 Catholic school system here in McHenry county.
And, three, we want to continue the great work of the Marian Staff and Tom Landers (recently retired superintendent), by executing our strategic plan and SIP (school improvement plan)plan we’ve already established. Tom’s done a great job and thestaff has done a great job.
Q. Students in your school may have had a summer reading list. What did you read this summer?
A. I'm a history major and I was down in Mexico so I read about Pancho Villa and his battles.
Q. Who makes up your family and what parish do you attend?
A. My wife is Becki. We've been married 17 years. We are still at St. Mary Parish in Sterling, but we're moving closer to school. Our son Elias, 17, will be a junior at Marian. I give him a lot of credit for moving in the middle of high school. And our son Ethan, 15, will be a freshman at Marian. Our daughter Olivia is 13. She will be finishing eighth grade at St. Mary School in Sterling.
Q. What is something you’d like to be sure the parents and students at your school know about you?
A. I'm an active member of our church, parish council, finance council and Cursillo.
Q. What is something you’d like to be sure the parents and students at your school know about you?
A. That I look forward to meeting the familes of Marian and get to know them as well as their children and I’m excited to be a part of the Marian family.
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Kathleen Howard |
Kathleen Howard, Superintendent
Newman Central Catholic High School, Sterling
Q. What is your educational background?
A. I attended Northern Illinois University for an undergraduate degree in education and received a Master of Educational Administration and Leadership from Western Illinois University.
Q. What was your last assignment in the diocese OR position outside the diocese?
A. I retired in June 2014 after serving eight years as a Principal in Sterling Public Schools and then worked part-time at Newman Central Catholic High School as the Director of Curriculum and Instruction.
Q. What is your main goal for the next school year?
A. One personal goal for 2015-16 is to communicate weekly with parents and students through email blasts.
Q. Students in your school may have had a summer reading list. What did you read this summer?
A. My summer reading list included "The Book Thief".
Q. Who makes up your family and what parish do you attend?
A. My husband and I have four grown children, all who attended Catholic universities (Benedictine University, Lewis University, St. Ambrose University) and three wonderful grandchildren. We attend St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Rock Falls.
Q. What is something you’d like to be sure the parents and students at your school know about you?
A. One thing I want parents and students to know about me is that I enjoy our students and love to know about their academics and activities.
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| Amy Ott |
Amy Ott, President
Boylan Central Catholic High School, Rockford
Q. What is your educational background?
A. I hold a Master’s Degree in business administration from Northern Illinois University and a Bachelor of Science in business administration degree in accounting from Creighton University.
Q. What was your last assignment in the diocese OR position outside the diocese?
A. Previously I held the role of deputy director of the Greater Rockford Airport Authority for twelve plus years.
Q. What is your main goal for the next school year?
A. Beginning in the 2015-2016 academic year, Boylan Catholic High School has moved from its traditional administrative model—in which the principal is responsible for the academic program as well as administration, planning and development—to a president-and-principal model. In this new administrative configuration, the president will oversee Boylan’s administration and policy goals.
Key areas of responsibility are financial administration, advancement, and enrollment. However, the first and foremost of my duties is to ensure the Catholic identity and formation of our young people. I am very excited to be a part of Boylan Catholic High School and look forward to the opportunities this new role offers to continue to build and grow the great tradition of Boylan.
Q. Who makes up your family and what parish do you attend?
A. My husband Clinton and I live in Roscoe, Illinois with our sons Brennan, a freshman at Boylan, and Joseph, a fifth grader at St. Bridget School (in Loves Park). We belong to St. Bridget Church.
Q. What is something you’d like to be sure the parents and students at your school know about you?
A. As a Boylan graduate I have always been proud of my alma mater. Like so many of its proud alumni, I am not so much a part of Boylan Catholic, as it is a part of me. I see this new leadership model for Boylan Catholic High School as an exciting challenge for all of us.
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Dr. Linda Andrejek |
Dr. Linda Andrejek, Principal
Holy Cross School, Batavia
Q. What is your educational background?
A. I received my Doctor in Education degree in Administration and Supervision from Loyola University Chicago in May, 2014 with my doctoral dissertation titled, “Revitalizing the Catholic Identity of Schools: Ecclesial Leaders of the Catholic Church on Methods of Providing an Outstanding Catholic Formation and Education to Students.”
Q. What was your last assignment in the diocese OR position outside the diocese?
A. My last position was that of Principal at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic School in Waterford, Wisconsin.
Q. What is your main goal for the next school year?
A. My main goal for the school year is to bring all of our students and families to a deepened love for Jesus and Mary by actualizing our school theme his year, “To the Eucharistic Jesus through Mary and the Rosary!”
Q. Students in your school may have had a summer reading list. What did you read this summer?
A. I read the book about Our Blessed Mother’s Apparitions at Fatima titled, “Fatima in Lucia’s Own Words”
Q. Who makes up your family and what parish do you attend?
A. I help take care of my mother who lives with me during the winter months. In addition, I have four brothers (one of whom is a priest), as well as 13 nieces and nephews - most of whom live around the Chicago area. In terms of my Parish, I belong to the same wonderful Parish at which I work - Holy Cross Catholic Church in Batavia.
Q. What is something you’d like to be sure the parents and students at your school know about you?
A. I would like all of our students and parents to know that it is indeed a great blessing and honor for me to work with all of them in continuing to provide the most outstanding Catholic formation and academic education possible for our students! Additionally, I would like to thank them for welcoming me so graciously into their parish and school family! I eagerly look forward to working in our wonderful school, parish, and diocese!
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| Brenda Baldassano |
Brenda Baldassano, Principal
St. Mary School, Woodstock
Q. What is your educational background?
A. I majored in Elementary Education, with middle school endorsements in Biology, Social Studies, General Science, and Language Arts. I have masters degrees in El. Ed, English, and Educational Administration. Accordingly, I am now endorsed as an administrator (principal). I have an Ed.S. that lead to another endorsement (superintendent). I am almost done with my Ed.D. My course work is complete and I am writing my dissertation.
Teaching - I have taught Pre-Kindergarten through 8th in some capacity, but my main focus was middle school science and religion, 5th-8th grade.
Q. What was your last assignment in the diocese OR position outside the diocese?
A. My last assignment was as an elementary school assistant principal outside of the diocese.
Q. What is your main goal for the next school year?
A. This is our centennial year at St. Mary School. One hundred years, can you believe it? Accordingly, my main goal for the next school year is to consecrate the school to our namesake, St. Mary, by following the example set forth in the book 33 days to Morning Glory by Michael E. Gaitley, MIC.
Q. Students in your school may have had a summer reading list. What did you read this summer?
A. "33 Days to Morning Glory" and loads of scholarly articles on school climate
Q. Who makes up your family and what parish do you attend?
A. Husband Nick, daughter Arabella (third grade), son Nicholas (first grade), daughter Autumn (kindrgarten), son Jacob (toddler). I just joined the parish at St. Mary in Woodstock where I am the principal and my children will now go to school.
Q. What is something you’d like to be sure the parents and students at your school know about you?
A. While parents are the first (and most important) teachers of their student’s faith, I appreciate the awesome trust they put in our school. Parents have options when it comes to education, so I am grateful they chose St. Mary School to be an integral instrument in their child’s Catholic faith formation.
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| Chris Kalamatas |
Chris A. Kalamatas, Principal
St. Charles Borromeo School, Hampshire.
Q. What is your educational background?
A. I received a bachelor’s degree in education, kindergarten-12th grade and a master’s degree in Educational Administration and Supervision from Northeastern Illinois University, Chicago. I worked in the public school system for 36 years, 17 as a teacher and 19 as an administrator.
Q. What was your last assignment in the diocese OR position outside the diocese?
A. I was the principal at Von Humboldt Elementary School in Chicago.
Q. What is your main goal for the next school year?
A. My main goal is to sustain the academic excellence and high student achievement already in place here at St. Charles Borromeo and as the new leader here, turn it up one more notch as there is always room to grow. We have a dedicated, committed staff and strong parent support so the main ingredients are in place.
Q. Students in your school may have had a summer reading list. What did you read this summer?
A. Mostly books on leadership, the different styles of leadership and how to motivate your team to achieve at their highest level. “5 Levels of Leadership “ by John Maxwell, “Axiom” by Bill Hybels. And of course I have been reading up a lot on our Rockford diocesan education policy and practices!
Q. Who makes up your family and what parish do you attend?
A. My wife Beth and I have five grown kids, ages 26-34. Among our five children we have been blessed with five grandkids. Our home parish is St. Mary’s of Huntley.
Q. What is something you’d like to be sure the parents and students at your school know about you?
A. Being new to our school, I want them to know that I am here to lead our school academically and of course, spiritually through our faith based instructional programs. Most important, I want them to see me as someone who puts the kids first and genuinely cares about every student.
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| Marie Neis |
Marie Neis, Principal
Annunciation BVM, Aurora
Q. What is your educational background?
A. I got a BA from Benedictine University, an MA from Northern Illinois University; an MA from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in Winona and my principal’s certification from Lewis University.
Q. What was your last assignment in the diocese OR position outside the diocese?
A. I was at St. Peter School in Geneva two years ago; before that I was at St Genevieve in the Archdiocese of Chicago.
Q. What is your main goal for the next school year?
A. My goal is to make sure that Annunciation stays as good a school as it is.
Q. Students in your school may have had a summer reading list. What did you read this summer?
A. I’m in the middle of reading the pope’s encyclical, Laudato Si’ and I read Heretics and Heroes by Thomas Cahill.
Q. Who makes up your family and what parish do you attend?
A I am a member at St. Thomas the Apostle Parish in Naperville. My husband, Mike, and I have two grown children — two daughters — and five grandchildren. The last one was just born last week.
Q. What is something you’d like to be sure the parents and students at your school know about you?
A. I’ve been in Catholic education all my life, over 40 years. I’m a world traveler. And both my husband and I are principals for the diocese.
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| Erica Schwartz |
Erica Schwartz, Principal
St. Peter School, South Beloit
Q. What is your educational background?
A. Bachelor’s degree from Carthage College (Elementary Education with a minor in Math)
Master’s degree from Concordia University (Educational Leadership with a Type 75)
Q. What was your last assignment in the diocese OR position outside the diocese?
A. I started my teaching career at St. Peter South Beloit in 1999 teaching middle school math for two years followed by sixth grade in Cary District 26 for nine years.
After three years at home with my son, I came back to St. Peter the past two years teaching middle school Math, ELA, and Religion. This year I will continue to teach Math for grades fourth through eight in addition to the principal position.
Q. What is your main goal for the next school year?
A. My goal is to encourage students to strive for academic excellence, grow in their faith everyday, participate in community service, and promote civic responsibility.
Q. Students in your school may have had a summer reading list. What did you read this summer?
The Divergent series
Q. Who makes up your family and what parish do you attend?
A. My husband Matt and I have been married for almost 15 years. My son, Matthew, is five years old and will be in kindergarten at St. Peter. We attend Mass as St. Bridget.
Q What is something you’d like to be sure the parents and students at your school know about you?
A. I have enjoyed working with the students in the classroom for two years. I’m excited for this new journey ahead and look forward to a wonderful school year!
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| Frank Shields |
Frank Shields, Principal
St. Joseph School, Harvard
Q. What is your educational background?
A. Educ. background: I have 38 years of teaching and administrative experience in both public and Catholic schools.
Q. What was your last assignment in the diocese OR position outside the diocese?
A. My last assignment was at St. Mary School in Woodstock, IL. I was principal there for 5 years.
Q. What is your main goal for the next school year?
A. My main goal for this year at St. Joe’s is to make sure each student has a very positive and productive school year.
Q. Students in your school may have had a summer reading list. What did you read this summer?
A. This summer I have continued to read the book, Pope Francis by Lowney.
Q. Who makes up your family and what parish do you attend?
A. I attend St. Thomas The Apostles Church in Crystal Lake with my wife who is also a part-time reading teacher in Harvard. We have three married son’s who all live out of state in Iowa and California. We have four grandchildren with number five due in October. Facetime is great but not as nice as visiting times...
Q. What is something you’d like to be sure the parents and students at your school know about you?
A. Parents and students need to know I’m a Bears and Cubs fan but I like to see the Packers and Sox win if they are not playing my teams.
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Dr. Peter Trumblay |
Dr. Peter Trumblay, Principal
St. Joseph School, Elgin
Q. What is your educational background?
A. Educational Background: I received my undergraduate degree from Loyola University in Communication in 1987. I went to St. Xavier University and earned my Masters in Education with additional credits in special education in 2000. Finally, I earned by doctoral in the area of curriculum from Argosy University in 2012.
Q. What was your last assignment in the diocese OR position outside the diocese?
A. My last position was Assistant Principal at Haugan School in the Chicago Public School System.
Q. What is your main goal for the next school year?
A. Goal: Is to breath when things are going crazy, give 100%, learn form my mistakes and laugh when things get crazy.
Q. Who makes up your family and what parish do you attend?
A. I have a brother Brian, who lives with his wife Debbie with their three sons in Georgia. My sister, Heidi has a husband Dan and they have four children and they live in Cheese State, better known as Wisconsin. I am not married, but I always say my children are my students at my school. The parish I belong to is St. Robert Bellarmine in Chicago.
Q. What is something you’d like to be sure the parents and students at your school know about you?
A. I was studying to be a priest for the Archdiocese of Chicago. I am a huge Chicago Cubs Fan. Go Cubs!!!
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| Tricia Weis |
Tricia Weis, Principal
St. Peter School, Geneva
Q. What is your educational background?
A. B.S. In Elementary Elementary from Augustana College, Masters Degree from the University of St. Francis in Educational Administration.
Q. What was your last assignment in the diocese OR position outside the diocese?
A. Principal at Holy Cross Schoolin Batavia
Q. What is your main goal for the next school year?
A. To joyfully serve and unify the community of Saint Peter making prayerful, prudent decisions that are in the best interest of the students spiritual growth and academic learning success.
Q. Students in your school may have had a summer reading list. What did you read this summer?
A. "What You Take to Heaven" by M. Brown and "Teaching for Comprehension" and Fluency by Fountas and Pinnell
Q. Who makes up your family and what parish do you attend?
A. I have been blessed with a beautiful marriage of 20 years with my husband Nick. We have five children. Daniel 19; Allison 18; Julia 16; Kurt 14;, and Sarah 11.
Q. What is something you’d like to be sure the parents and students at your school know about you?
A. I want the parents and students at St. Peter to know that I am so grateful to join the beautiful community and am looking forward to many years of ongoing teamwork, as we support one another in faith sharing, wisdom and knowledge. I want them to know that I believe God has a very specific purpose for each obstacle and joy in which we encounter. His grace and unconditional love for each of us should be a reflection of our daily interactions and vision for the future. I want them to know that each person who enters Saint Peter School will be cherished, cared for and treated with dignity as we join together to support students in achieving their full potential!